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Racing / Mid-Atlantic / Classic Nofty
Classic Nofty winning at Penn National
HomebredPA-BredVA CertifiedMid-Atlantic

Classic Nofty

Bay Gelding, 2023  ·  Classic Empire — Move, by Silver Train
6
Starts
2-0-0
Record
$80,500
Earnings
91
Top Figure

Classic Nofty is a homebred Pennsylvania-bred gelding by champion juvenile Classic Empire, out of the HnR homebred mare Move. A two-time winner from six starts, he broke his maiden going a mile at two, returned to win a PA-bred allowance on turf at three, and has since campaigned in open stakes company — including a fourth in the Grade 3 Penn Mile, where he recorded his career-top figure and the biggest check of his career. He is a two-turn, one-mile router with a patient, grinding style.

Connections

Owner / Breeder
HnR Nothhaft Horse Racing
Homebred
Trainer
Phil Schoenthal
Mid-Atlantic
Jockeys
A. Gallardo · F. Boyce · A. Cruz · V. Carrasco
Foaled
Feb 20, 2023 · Pennsylvania
Sex / Color
Gelding · Bay
Eligibility
PA-bred (PABF) · Virginia-Certified
Equipment
Blinkers · Lasix (from May '26)
Dam
HnR homebred · 20 starts, 2-5-4, $99,065

Career Summary

6
Starts
33%
Win
$13,417
Per Start
1 mile
Every Start But One
Turf · AWT
Both Wins
G3 · 2×BT
Stakes Experience
Equibase figures: 75 → 86 → 54 → 78 → 91 → 77. His figures have risen with the class of company: the career-top 91 came in the Grade 3 Penn Mile — in defeat — and that fourth-place finish earned $24,000, more than either of his winning purses. The 54 in the Tesio was a trip-compromised throw-out, shuffled back approaching the first turn. Both of his wins came off the same move: settle off the pace, split foes three wide at the quarter pole, drive clear.

Race Record

27Jun '26

Delaware Park · Kent S. (Black Type)

1¹⁄₁₆m Dirt (off turf) · Purse $150,000
5th of 7Detail
Kent S. (Black Type), 3yo, $150,000 guaranteed. Taken off the turf — originally about 1‑1/8 miles on turf, run at 1‑1/16 miles dirt, sloppy (sealed) · Showery, 76° · Off 4:15 · 118 lbs, blinkers · PGM 7 / PP 5 · Jockey Victor R. Carrasco · Odds 9.30 · Equibase figure 77 · 7 starters after two stakes scratches (Turf Star, Zeppelin).
Running Line
Start1/41/23/4StrFin
5th567535
Pace & Figure
Fractions23.88 · 48.86 · 1:14.03 · 1:40.56
Final1:53.50
Gate1:56.14
Splits(24.98)(25.17)(26.53)(12.94)
Trip: Raced near the rear of the field throughout and passed weaker rivals in the stretch without impact. The race came off the turf to a sloppy, sealed main track — his second start in black-type company.
Order of Finish
FinHorseOddsBeatenComment
1McCready16.80won by 2½swept up,drew off
2Kravitz6.50finish well for place
3Chambersville2.40*3cut corner,not enough
4Just Jo Jo4.404clear lead, wilted
5Classic Nofty9.30near rear,passed weaker
6Chicken Dance2.60went evenly,no menace
7Timeless Victory8.30prompt,bid,flattened
29May '26

Penn National · Penn Mile S. (G3)G3

1m Turf · Purse $400,000
4th of 5Detail
Penn Mile S. (Grade 3), 3yo, 122 lbs. 1 mile turf, firm · Clear, 77° · Off 8:06 · 118 lbs, Lasix + blinkers · PGM 3 / PP 2 · Earned $24,000 — the largest single check of his career · 5 starters after two stakes scratches.
Running Line
Start1/41/23/4StrFin
4th5554423
Pace & Figure
Fractions23.38 · 47.80 · 1:11.26
Final1:34.17
Gate1:35.56
Splits(24.42)(23.46)(11.36)(11.55)
Trip: Brushed lightly at the start, saved ground off the pace through the opening half, came around the far turn in the three path and made no bid in Grade 3 company. First graded start.
Order of Finish
FinHorseOddsBeatenComment
1Alpyland2.10won by 14p2nd,bid3/8,drew off
2Immortalised (FR)5.001outside,3p,improved
3Honey Dutch0.40*32p,bmp upper,wkn
4Classic Nofty30.6023svd gnd,3p2nd,no bid
5Bonsai Warrior84.1028led,svd gnd,tired
Replay
15May '26

Penn National · Allowance

1m Turf · Purse $41,000
Won by 2Detail
Allowance, registered PA-breds 3yo+ (NW a PA-restricted race). 1 mile turf, firm · Clear, 67° · Off 6:46 · 119 lbs, first Lasix · PGM 8 / PP 5 · Earned $24,600 · Paid $5.20 / $4.00 / $3.00 · Turf debut.
Running Line
Start1/41/23/4StrFin
5th55421Head12
Pace & Figure
Fractions23.35 · 47.41 · 1:11.32
Final1:35.36
Gate1:36.75
Splits(24.06)(23.91)(12.28)(11.76)
Trip: Settled off the pace, ranged up on the far turn but got tight around the quarter, split foes three wide at the top of the lane and drove clear. PA-bred allowance.
Order of Finish
FinHorseOddsBeatenComment
1Classic Nofty1.60*won by 2adv,tight1/4,split,clr
2Chillhouse7.402chsd ins,tip out,game
3Thirty West7.303pace,opened,yield1/8
4Respighi1.404outward,stalk3w,flatnd
5Bold Hoppertunity17.106press2p,retreated3/8
6Hot Rod Kitty6.609outran
Replay
18Apr '26

Laurel Park · Federico Tesio S. (Black Type)

1⅛m Dirt · Purse $150,000
9th of 10Detail
Federico Tesio S. (Black Type), 3yo, win-and-you're-in to the Preakness. 1‑1/16 mile dirt, fast · Clear, 78° · Off 5:08 · 118 lbs, blinkers · PGM 7 / PP 3 · 10 starters · Stakes debut; his only start beyond a mile.
Running Line
Start1/41/23/4StrFin
7th1018¼109109
Pace & Figure
Fractions23.93 · 47.80 · 1:14.30 · 1:40.02
Final1:52.92
Gate1:54.54
Trip: Shuffled back approaching the first turn and outrun throughout in a black-type stakes whose winner earned an automatic Preakness berth. First stakes start.
Order of Finish
FinHorseOddsBeatenComment
1Taj Mahal1.20*won by 1¼rail, driving
2Wild Warrior6.90bump start,3w1/4
3Let's Go Lando5.10rail, needed more
4Volendam3.405bump start,chase,tired
5Hixon26.0074wd1/4,willing
6Code of Silence13.509gave way
7Higher Sense64.50123-4wd turns,gave way
8Close the Gate20.8014never factored
9Classic Nofty18.0016shuffled early,outrun
10Chayton21.3022jostled start, outrun
12Mar '26

Colonial Downs · Allowance Optional Claiming

1m Dirt · Purse $80,000
4th of 6Detail
Allowance Optional Claiming ($62,500), 3yo NW1X. 1 mile dirt, good (sealed) · Showery, 42° · Off 1:00 · 120 lbs, Lasix + blinkers · PGM 4 / PP 4 · Earned $4,000 · Won by subsequent stakes colt Code Review in 1:37.91.
Running Line
Start1/41/2StrFin
6th655154
Pace & Figure
Fractions23.37 · 45.84 · 1:10.45
Final1:37.91
Splits(22.47)(24.61)(13.15)(14.31)
Trip: Drafted well off the early pace, secured the inside leaving the far turn and gathered momentum, cut the corner under a ride in the stretch and churned on late to bridge the gap for fourth.
Order of Finish
FinHorseOddsBeatenComment
1Code Review0.20*won by Neckhop st,ins,tenacious
2I Did I Did4.40Necksent,3w outs,game btw
3Close the Gate6.60ins,rdn3/8,angl,grind
4Classic Nofty27.60ins1/4,angl1/8,churn
5Reckless19.108btw-3w,mv3/8,empty
6American Tact41.10145wd,faltered,eased
23Jul '25

Presque Isle Downs · Maiden Special Weight

1m AWT · Purse $30,000
Won by 2Detail
Maiden Special Weight, 2yo, limited to 10 starters (plus up to 30% PABF). 1 mile all-weather (Tapeta), fast · Clear, 85° · Off 4:27 · 120 lbs, blinkers · PGM 4 / PP 2 · Earned $23,400 · Paid $7.80 / $3.00 / $2.40 · Career debut win.
Running Line
Start1/41/23/4StrFin
3rd31322Head112
Pace & Figure
Fractions24.71 · 49.73 · 1:15.94
Final1:39.86
Splits(25.02)(26.21)(11.81)(12.11)
Trip: Stalked the pace setter from the inside in striking distance to the far turn, waited for racing room on the bend, forced his way between rivals three wide at the quarter pole to take command turning for home, and finished well holding the runner-up safe. Broke his maiden.
Order of Finish
FinHorseOddsBeatenComment
1Classic Nofty2.90won by 2split1/4 pole,hld saf
2Expo City1.50*2loom,fail2pass,2d bst
3Grab My Tab9.705well rated, weakened
4Dancewithmyfather2.208trailed, no threat
5Bosh5.6012bid turn, gave way

Sire · Dam · Damsire

Sire
Classic Empire
By Pioneerof the Nile. 2016 champion two-year-old male — G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, G1 Breeders' Futurity, G1 Arkansas Derby; second in the Preakness. 5 wins from 9 starts, $2,520,220. 323 winners and 32 black-type winners from 449 starters; $31.3M+ progeny earnings, AEI 1.29.
Dam
Move
By Silver Train. HnR homebred and raced by the family — 20 starts, 2-5-4, $99,065, with 11 in-the-money finishes and a start in the black-type Mrs. Penny Stakes. A durable, honest mare rather than a lightly-raced page.
Damsire
Silver Train
By Old Trieste, by A.P. Indy. 126 winners and 7 black-type from 195 starters as a broodmare sire, placing Seattle Slew and Weekend Surprise close in the female family.
Linebreeding
5×5 Mr. Prospector
Plus Seattle Slew 5×5 within the dam's half
Dosage
DI 1.00 · CD +0.10
1-2-4-3-0 · Classic-weighted, balanced
Aptitude
Turf · AWT · Two-Turn
One mile and onward

Pedigree Overview

Classic Nofty is a bay gelding foaled February 20, 2023, in Pennsylvania. Bred by HnR Nothhaft Horseracing LLC, he is by champion juvenile Classic Empire out of the Silver Train mare Move. He has made six starts and is a winner. His pedigree combines the Pioneerof the Nile branch of the Unbridled sire line with a female family carrying A.P. Indy, Lemon Drop Kid, Seattle Slew, Kingmambo, and Northern Dancer.

The pedigree blends Classic Empire's proven juvenile and classic performance with the speed-oriented influence of Silver Train and the broader stamina base supplied through Old Trieste, A.P. Indy, and Lemon Drop Kid. Classic Nofty's sire and dam both contribute established dirt aptitude, while the lower half of the pedigree introduces additional versatility through Kingmambo and Miesque.

Sire Line Analysis

Classic Empire is by Pioneerof the Nile out of Sambuca Classica, by Cat Thief. He was the champion two-year-old male of 2016 after winning the Grade 3 Bashford Manor Stakes, Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity, and Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile. At three, he won the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby, and was second in the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes. He retired with five wins from nine starts and earnings of $2,520,220.

His sire, Pioneerof the Nile, was a Grade 1 winner and a leading son of Empire Maker. Pioneerof the Nile became an important classic influence through Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and established a branch of the Unbridled line associated with two-turn dirt performance. The direct male line runs through Empire Maker to Unbridled and Fappiano, giving Classic Nofty a sire line represented by major American classic runners.

Classic Empire's dam, Sambuca Classica, is by Cat Thief, a son of Storm Cat. Her dam is the stakes winner In Her Glory, by Miswaki. This introduces Storm Cat and Mr. Prospector into Classic Empire's maternal background, supporting the speed and juvenile development already present in his race record.

Classic Empire has developed into a consistent source of winners and black-type performers. His leading runners include Grade 1 Arkansas Derby winner and Kentucky Derby third Angel of Empire, Grade 2 winner and Grade 1-placed Interstatedaydream, and graded stakes winners Classy Edition, Morello, and Alpine Princess. His progeny have demonstrated success on dirt and turf, with runners effective from sprint distances through classic routes.

The current Equineline statistics list Classic Empire with 607 foals of racing age, 449 starters, 323 winners, and 32 black-type winners. His progeny have earned more than $31.3 million, with an Average Earnings Index of 1.29. Those figures represent a 74 percent starter rate and a 53 percent winner rate from his foals of racing age.

For Classic Nofty, the sire line contributes juvenile quality, two-turn ability, and proven performance in major dirt races. Classic Empire's record as both a champion two-year-old and an Arkansas Derby winner gives the pedigree a combination of early development and route capacity.

Female Family Analysis

Classic Nofty is out of Move, a Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Silver Train. Move won twice and placed nine additional times from 20 starts, earning $99,065. Her victories came in maiden special weight and allowance company, giving Classic Nofty a dam with an established racing record over multiple seasons. Move was also bred and raced by HnR Nothhaft interests.

Silver Train is by Old Trieste out of Ridden in Thestars, by Cormorant. Old Trieste was a son of A.P. Indy, placing Seattle Slew and Weekend Surprise close to the front of Classic Nofty's female family. This branch supplies a strong American dirt foundation and complements the Unbridled influence found through Classic Empire.

Move's dam, Be Envied, is by Lemon Drop Kid. Lemon Drop Kid is a son of Kingmambo, bringing Mr. Prospector and Miesque into the pedigree. His dam, Charming Lassie, is by Seattle Slew, giving Classic Nofty a second appearance of Seattle Slew within the dam's half of the pedigree.

The next dam, While Rome Burns, is by Overskate out of Fiddlesticks, by Northern Dancer. This adds another established speed and class influence through Northern Dancer, while the presence of Nodouble behind Overskate contributes a distinct American stamina element.

The female side therefore combines Silver Train and Old Trieste with Lemon Drop Kid and Seattle Slew. This structure provides Classic Nofty with a broodmare line carrying speed, dirt aptitude, and sufficient classic influence to support performance beyond sprint distances.

Linebreeding and Genetic Structure

Classic Nofty is inbred 5 x 5 to Mr. Prospector. The sire-side appearance comes through Miswaki, the broodmare sire of In Her Glory, while the dam-side appearance comes through Kingmambo, the sire of Lemon Drop Kid. The duplication enters through separate branches and places Mr. Prospector in both halves of the pedigree without close concentration in the first four generations.

Seattle Slew appears 5 x 5 within the dam's half. One occurrence comes through A.P. Indy, the sire of Old Trieste, and the other through Charming Lassie, the dam of Lemon Drop Kid. This repetition reinforces the Seattle Slew influence while using two distinct descendants.

The broader pedigree includes Unbridled and Fappiano through the direct sire line, Storm Cat through Cat Thief, A.P. Indy through Old Trieste, and Kingmambo through Lemon Drop Kid. Northern Dancer appears farther back through Fiddlesticks. The result is a pedigree built from several major North American sire lines, with the strongest immediate emphasis on dirt racing and two-turn development.

Classic Nofty's Dosage Profile is 1-2-4-3-0, with ten dosage points, a Dosage Index of 1.00, and a Center of Distribution of +0.10. The profile has its largest concentration in the Classic category, supported by Solid influence and smaller Brilliant and Intermediate components. These figures indicate a balanced numerical structure with more stamina representation than is commonly found in a speed-dominant pedigree.

Nick Ratings / Statistical Evaluation

The Equineline nicking statistics record one foal of racing age bred on the Classic Empire and Silver Train cross. That runner is a starter and winner, giving the current cross a 100 percent starter and winner rate from its limited sample. The cross has earnings of $80,500 and an AEI of 1.42.

Classic Empire's broader sire record includes 323 winners and 32 black-type winners from 449 starters. Silver Train's broodmare-sire record includes 126 winners and seven black-type winners from 195 starters, with progeny earnings exceeding $8.9 million.

The pedigree can also be viewed through related combinations involving Pioneerof the Nile with Silver Train mares, Pioneerof the Nile with Old Trieste mares, and Empire Maker with the same female-line influences. These patterns connect Classic Empire's Unbridled background with the A.P. Indy branch found through Silver Train's sire, Old Trieste.

Commercial Implications

Classic Nofty's pedigree presents a racing profile centered on dirt performance, juvenile development, and the capacity to progress into route racing. Classic Empire supplies champion two-year-old form and Grade 1 classic credentials, while Move contributes a durable race record and the influence of Silver Train, A.P. Indy, and Lemon Drop Kid.

For a stable profile, Classic Nofty can be presented as a Pennsylvania-bred winner from a proven sire line. His dosage profile, Classic Empire's race record, and the concentration of Unbridled, A.P. Indy, Seattle Slew, and Kingmambo support a balanced sprint-to-route identity. The pedigree combines early racing ability with a meaningful stamina base, giving his six-start record a foundation shaped by established American dirt bloodlines.

Gallery

Race Replays

Penn National · May 15 · Won
Penn Mile S. (G3) · May 29 · 4th

In the Press